NEW Thomson Cardiff Devils coach Dave Whistle has expressed his desire for a lengthy stint at the club.

Former Bracknell Bees and Belfast Giants boss Whistle was unveiled as outgoing coach Glenn Mulvenna's replacement yesterday and said, "I'm planning to be here in the long-term.

"It didn't take me long to make up my mind that Cardiff is the place for me.

"I knew I wanted to get back into coaching as quickly as possible and had gone through the clubs in Britain I'd like to join.

"Cardiff was on that list and, as soon as they called, I was ready."

The 37-year-old Canadian agreed to take charge of the team after Mulvenna was sacked on Sunday night following the Devils' 5-1 home defeat to Nottingham Panthers - their seventh straight loss in the Elite League.

Thunder Bay-born Whistle already has three championship titles as a coach and the Devils management see him as the man to lead their team up the table.

Bracknell won the Superleague title in his second season at the club in 1999-2000, while Belfast lifted the crown during his second campaign as coach in 2001-02 and followed that by winning the Superleague play-off championship last term.

The former Billingham Bombers, Romford Raiders, Basingstoke Bison and Telford Tigers forward started this season coaching German Elite League club Iserlohn Roosters, but left after only nine games.

He was linked with the Devils job last month during a turbulent period when Mulvenna resigned after hearing rumours that Whistle was being drafted in.

Mulvenna later accepted a new contract, but the axe fell as Cardiff's miserable run continued.

Whistle said, "I know most of the guys here, particularly the older ones because I played against them.

"This is not a short-term thing. I have joined Cardiff Devils with a long-term view.

"The immediate plan is to help the team climb the Elite League and qualify for the play-offs.

"But I'm looking beyond that to next season.

"Cardiff is a hockey club with a big tradition and the Devils can be successful again. I hope I can help them along the way."

Whistle's first task is to prepare the Devils for their trip to the National Ice Centre to face top-of-the-table Nottingham Panthers on Saturday.

Next on the agenda is his former club, the second-placed Belfast Giants, whom the Devils meet at the Wales National Ice Rink on Sunday (6pm).